Love is not cancelled, the current situation has put a pause on weddings and many brides have been asking on how to store their wedding gown util the big day. Here are some “Dos” to keep the gown looking its best until the “I Do.”

DO pick a safe place to store your gown. Make sure the area you choose is in a dark, cool area free from pests, mischievous fur babies, and fiancés. A guest bedroom’s interior closet is a perfect place to store a wedding gown. Avoid places like attics, basements, or exterior wall closets because they are not always climate controlled.

DO hang your gown rather than box it up. By hanging your gown, you ensure that it will not be permanently creased. It also allows airflow around the gown. Be sure to pay careful attention to gowns with delicate or illusion straps or sleeves to ensure that you are not having them bear the weight of the gown to prevent tears. Also avoid hanging the gown close to light fixtures or ceiling fans.

DO store your gown in a cotton muslin gown bag. If your gown is currently in a plastic gown bag, remove an place in a cotton muslin bag. Cotton muslin bags are hands down the best way to store your gown. Muslin or a breathable fabric garment bag that is acid-free will not discolor your gown. It keeps dust off your dress and allows air circulation to help prevent mold or mildew. Try searching for “Breathable Fabric Bridal Gown Bag” on Amazon and you will find multiple suppliers from which to choose. When placing the gown in the bag, place your finger behind the zipper as you zip close to ensure the gown does not get caught.

DO use a padded hanger. Especially for gowns with sleeves, narrow hangers can cause the shoulders of a garment to warp over time or even cause permanent damage. These hangers come in both linen and cotton which is naturally acid-free.

DO use ALL the hanger ribbons in your dress. Gowns can get heavy! Those ribbons are there to help distribute the gowns weight on the hanger. Already received alternations and ribbons were removed? Don’t worry – you can always add temporary hanger loops using cotton twill tape. You can even loop the hanger ribbons around the hanger multiple times to ensure that the weight of the gown is not on the actual gown’s straps, if applicable.

DO remember to take care of your veil and accessories, too! They can be stored in an acid-free box with archival tissue paper. Make sure to store them off the floor. You can keep them in the same closet with your dress or in a drawer.

DO take out your gown and examine it, but only periodically. Who are we kidding? Of course, we know you will check on your gown! But, resist the urge to try on the gown or remove it from the storage container. The dress should only be removed once you are ready to have your dress altered.

DO examine your gown at least 1 – 2 weeks before your wedding. To ensure everything is just as it should be, you will want to take your gown out of the bag a week or two prior to your wedding and hang it utilizing a padded hanger. Hang it high so that it has the opportunity to release wrinkles. If there are stubborn wrinkles that will not come out, please contact your alterations vendor or bridal salon on the best place to have your gown steamed.